Conflict and Ancestors

The Missions:

The day was very young, it was so early in the morning that darkness was still holding onto the sky and the birds were yet to start their songs. There was a chill in the air accompanied by the eerie silence in the streets. Malik made his way towards one of the lesser populated local shrines in Hoshigakure. He had been asked to accompany some Hoshi Shinobi on three missions today, both of which were very important to the village. The large mountain of a man had been surprised when his assistance was requested, these did not seem to be missions for a 'mercenary of hire' to be requested. Perhaps there was a shortage of Shinobi in the village at that time, or perhaps most of them were already busy on missions of their own.

Regardless, he needed the experience, and most importantly, the ryo. The first mission seemed easy enough, it was more like a gardening job than a normal B Rank mission, which Malik found unusual. This village, Hoshi, must place a great deal of importance on respecting their dead and their memories. Malik could not understand it, they were dead, in the dirt and likely never to return. Why waste one's time, effort and ryo focusing on the past instead of looking to the future? He found it foolish, but again, ryo was ryo and he did not plan on missing out on an easy payday.

The second mission brought him less joy though. The large man had initially had somehow managed to get roped into accompanying Marla, the young woman he had met who worked at a local juice stand on a prior mission, to one of Hoshi's many, many festivals that night. He had acted like he did not want to go, but secretly relished the idea of spending time with her, he had grown fond of Marla very quickly, so the thought of spending time with her was something he pounced on very quickly.

This plan was ruined when his assistance was "urgently" requested for a mission that night. He was to work as a guard, patrolling the event to ensure that order was maintained. Malik stood out in a crowd, his enormous height and build placing him head and shoulders above nearly everyone else. This was often a hindrance in many social settings, but it was perfect as a deterrent for aspiring criminals or dumbasses who thought about acting up in his presence. So in reality, he was the perfect fit for this mission and it would likely be more easy ryo, but that did not frustrate him any less about missing out on quality time with Marla. She had been visibly annoyed at him when he had apologetically explained the situation, even making him pay full price for the juice he had bought that day.

The third and final mission was to take place later that night, shortly after the end of the event. They would have to return to the location of their first shrine from the initial mission. This time, it would be for slightly less joyful reasons. There had been many reports of the shrine being haunted around midnight, something that Malik had scoffed at initially, but Marla had informed him that this was likely real. Hoshi was known for its spiritual inhabitants awakening from their slumbers. Malik assumed it was because the decrepit fools had been so obsessed with the dead while they were living. Maybe the underworld was not as fun a place to reside in after your life came to an end. He would find out whether this was true or not that night.

Malik arrived at the location of the shrine for their first mission, it appeared that he was the first one there, giving him some time to sit at a nearby bench and observe the surroundings. It was quite a serene location, there was greenery everywhere, and the shrine itself was nothing to scoff at. It was adorned with many flowers, pillars and jewels, these Hoshi people truly did love their dead. They would need to be careful of that attitude, however, as those who obsess over the dead often found themselves joining them before too long.

---

TWC: 704

As Hiroshi approached the shrine of the dead, he couldn't help but feel a somber atmosphere surrounding the sacred grounds. The shrine was a place of reverence and reflection, dedicated to the fallen warriors of Hoshigakure village. The mission details were not explicitly stated on the mission board, leaving him curious about what he was getting into.

Upon arriving at the shrine, Hiroshi found himself alone, with only the soft rustle of leaves and the distant sound of the wind accompanying him. He carefully scanned the area, ensuring he wasn't walking into an ambush or an unexpected threat. After confirming that the coast was clear, he cautiously stepped forward, showing respect for the fallen and the sanctity of the shrine.

The redhead noticed an ornate scroll on a pedestal as he approached the central altar. The scroll had the village emblem, indicating it was an official mission document. Hiroshi carefully unrolled it and read the mission briefing. Hiroshi frowned as he read the mission details. Taking down rogue ninjas was indeed dirty work, but it also involved respecting the memory of those who had fallen in service of the village. He understood the gravity of the task and knew he had to handle it with skill and sensitivity.

Closing the scroll, Hiroshi paid his respects at the shrine before tracking the culprit behind the damages. He knew that his experience as a mercenary and familiarity with the shadows would be essential for success in this mission. With a deep breath, he set out to his covert assignment, ready to bring justice to those who disrespected the sacred ground of the fallen heroes.

He turned around and almost stormed off until he noticed a white-haired figure approaching. 

"Howdy," Hiroshi yelled at him, fierce of voice and 10 meters away. "I hope you didn't emerge from the grave, did you? You look like a ghost."

[WC: 313]

Malik observed as the red headed Shinobi began to read the scroll on the pedestal, it was quite apparent that this man was a Shinobi, given his attire and demeanour. He was a very tall and muscular man, almost as large as Malik himself, he had clearly seen his fair share of battles. Malik wondered what type of person this mystery Shinobi would be. Would he be a headstrong idiot who would shout out delusions of grandeur and becoming a Kage? Would he be the silent broody type that only responded in grunts and profanities? Would he just be some bumbling fool? Would he be some sentimental fool who would prattle on about the importance of the dead? He hoped it was none of those, although all that really mattered to the large man was that he was indeed a competent warrior.

As he watched the man close the scroll and begin praying to whatever dead idiot lay in the ground, Malik sighed. Sentimental fool it is, just my luck... He thought to himself in dismay. Finally rising from his bench, he began to slowly make his way over to his partner for the day. It turned out that his timing would be ideal, the man turned around and took notice of his approach. Standing as tall and large as Malik, it was not exactly an easy feat to remain hidden from others, so he often just decided to never try it.

Not only was he a sentimental fool, but also a loud one who felt the need to yell out at such an early hour of the day. Malik suppressed a grumble and responded when he was only several meters away. "If there are any ghosts in this forsaken place, I can guarantee that you would have just scared them away. No, I am Malik. I am here to look at some dead people stones and then guard one of this village's many festivals. I take it you will be joining me for these missions today?"

Should the other man respond and introduce himself, Malik would simply give a stiff nod before raising a single hand to indicate it was time to begin. "Well, we have a long day ahead of us, shall we get to work then?" If the man agreed, the two of them would begin moving to the first shrine on the list, Malik praying to some deity or another the entire time for the chance to punch someone in the face.

---

WC: 416
TWC: 1,120

Hiroshi's smirk lingered as Malik approached and introduced himself, a man whose demeanor was as direct and unyielding as steel. In this unwavering figure, Hiroshi found solace, appreciating the reliability of a partner who cut through the veils of diplomacy. He absorbed Malik's words, his nod conveying an understanding of the tasks that now bound their fates together. Whether Malik embraced this alliance willingly or not, the web of destiny had cast its threads.

"Well, Malik, I suppose I'm your partner in crime today. Or partner in guarding festivals, at least." Hiroshi responded, his words carrying a hint of playfulness akin to the jesters who adorned the royal courts of old.

As they embarked upon their journey towards the shrine, a place where memories intertwined with solemn reverence, Hiroshi couldn't resist a playful remark. He searched for Akaboshi's voice or that of his Kage. All of Hoshi's top brass spoke in the same pretentious way as he could recall. "It seems that my notoriety has yet to reach your ears like a whisper carried away by the wind. I take it you are not much of a history buff. Or maybe you're just not into the stories of notorious bandits turned shinobi." His tone remained light, threaded with a sense of intrigue, as he observed Malik with a glint in his eye.

"But fear not," Hiroshi continued, mischief dancing in his gaze, "for the shadows of my past have been eclipsed by the light of a new purpose. Today, you may trust that my hands will remain clean, or at least, mostly so." A mischievous grin broke through, a hint of his past self resurfacing in jest.

"Now, my towering companion, lead the way. We shall pay homage to the fallen and safeguard their hallowed memory." As they embarked on their solemn mission, Hiroshi's curiosity remained, much like the ripples on the surface of a calm river, silently wondering what kind of partner Malik would reveal himself to be – a sentimental soul or a character of unexpected depth.

[WC: 338]

Malik did well to hide the annoyance he felt towards Hiroshi's first statement. Not at the words themselves, but at the playful demeanour of which they were spoken with. In his own defence, Malik was not quite used to such droll and mundane missions, he had lived his life on the edge up until he entered Hoshigakure. Grand battles and whatnot. Regardless, this was the current hand that he had been dealt and he would go along with it for now.

"Indeed, I suppose it is time for us to journey onwards in our very humble and meaningful objectives." He spoke with an obvious tinge of boredom, noting that Hiroshi was probably not the sort to mind. The man continued to speak as the two of them began to move. He could feel Hiroshi's eyes on him as they moved to the first shrine, speaking with a fairly light tone. The man was testing him perhaps? "It has not reached me, no. I am sure the infamous deeds of the Great Hiroshi are something to marvel at, of course."

Malik could not help but let out a chuckle, "I would be quite surprised if your hands were anything but clean after these mundane missions. I doubt that we will receive much opposition from the shrines and tombstones of Hoshigakure, although perhaps we should be careful of the terrifying pollen that ravages the air around us." His face was straight as he spoke, but Malik's words were wrapped in sarcasm, almost to the point of playful.

He raised an eyebrow as he continued to speak, "But I must say, you have sparked a level of curiosity within me. What exactly is your notorious story that I have clearly missed out on?" Sarcasm aside, Malik was still interested in getting to know who he would be working with today. This man Hiroshi could turn out to be a powerful ally in the future. Or on the flip side, he may end up becoming a dangerous foe, it would do Malik well to know him better either way.

As they approached the shrine, Malik noticed that it had been left in a state of disarray, rocks and garbage littered the ground surrounding it. It appeared that not every humble citizen of Hoshi felt the same sense of nostalgia and respect for the dead as he what had initially been led to believe. With a sigh, Malik would walk over and begin to clean the mess, throwing the rubbish in a nearby trash can whilst also rearranging the rocks around the shrine, where they had initially sat.

---

WC: 433
TWC: 1,553

Hiroshi couldn't help but appreciate the dry wit in Malik's responses. It was clear that their partnership would be interesting, with the potential for humor amidst the solemnity of their task. As they approached the shrine and Malik took it upon himself to clean up the mess, Hiroshi observed him respectfully. The man might appear unyielding and fierce, but there was a sense of duty in his actions that spoke volumes.

"Well," Hiroshi began, his voice carrying a touch of warmth, "my notorious story, as you call it, is a tale of a young bandit who once roamed these very lands, causing quite a stir. A skilled thief, some might say. But you see, even thieves can have a change of heart." He chuckled lightly, reminiscing about his past, which now felt like a distant dream.

"While it's true that I have a history with the shadows, my time as a merc has given me a new purpose – a chance to leave a different mark on this world, one that honors the fallen and preserves the memories of those who came before us." Hiroshi joined Malik in cleaning the shrine, arranging rocks, and picking up discarded offerings. It was a small act of devotion to those who once called this place sacred.

"As for the pollen," he added, a sly grin forming on his face, "it's a formidable adversary, I assure you. You'll learn to respect its power in due time." Hiroshi's tone was playful, acknowledging the triviality of their current mission while maintaining a sense of duty.

As they continued their work, Hiroshi couldn't help but admire the juxtaposition between their personalities and the shared sense of purpose that bound them together. Malik might be a man of steel, but Hiroshi sensed a layer of depth beneath that exterior, a quality he was eager to explore further during their partnership.

[WC: 321]

Malik listened silently as Hiroshi spoke. Out of habit, he rarely showed the emotions he felt, it often meant that he had lost control of himself when he did so, which was never a good time for those around him. Hiroshi's story appeared to be one of redemption, at least to an extent. Malik could not help but think about himself and his own past in comparison. Where this man had gone from a skilled thief to a rather good willed mercenary, Malik could not truly see a path of redemption for himself. He felt trapped in the darkness that was his rage, something he felt would be almost impossible to move and leave behind in his life. But Hiroshi's words did resonate with the large man. Was that the feeling of hope? Or purpose? Or perhaps he was just feeling hungry...

"Truly an inspirational tale, although judging by your appearance you were clearly more than just a thief. Sneaking in to homes and other targets is probably not the most effective course of action for a man who likely could not even fit in most of them?" Malik did not respond to Hiroshi's words about honouring the fallen who came before, as it was not a sentiment that he shared. But the fact that he was a mercenary DID pique his interests.

"So then, is this mercenary work of yours in Hoshigakure going to be a permanent situation? Or do you plan on moving on at some point?" It was something that he himself had been considering for his own future. "The hospitality here has been quite comfortable and my hosts have been, for the most part, warm and welcoming. But I do not believe that this is the life for me. I almost feel... trapped within village walls. So many rules and regulations to abide by. I understand the reasons behind them of course, but I do not believe that they are fitting for a person such as myself. Not all of us are able to shake the demons of our past, some of us end up becoming them..."

Malik chuckled at Hiroshi's joke, pollen had never been one of his adversaries, something which the large man was grateful for. "As a man who has had to sleep in the woods, often in trees, I can safely say that pollen has spared me her cold and frustrating embrace. It would be quite inconvenient for somebody such as myself after all."

After a short while, the shrine was finally fixed, with everything placed where it was originally situated. Giving the area a once over, Malik would await for Hiroshi to be ready before setting off with him to the next location. As they ventured onwards, Malik would ask his partner a short yet simple question. "Hiroshi. Do you hail from a specific clan or bloodline?"

---

WC: 476
TWC: 2,029

Hiroshi couldn't help but appreciate the candidness with which Malik approached their conversation. The man might be stern and direct, but he was refreshingly honest, a quality that Hiroshi found intriguing.

Chuckling at Malik's remark about his size and the impracticality of sneaking into small spaces, Hiroshi replied, "You have a point there. My career as a thief had its limitations, but it also honed my skills in ways you might find surprising. It taught me to be resourceful and adaptable, which has come in handy more times than I can count."

As Malik questioned Hiroshi about his plans in Hoshigakure, Hiroshi's gaze turned thoughtful. " I've been putting bread on the table for the most part, but I won't rule out the possibility of new horizons. Life has a way of surprising us." His words held a hint of ambiguity, leaving room for the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

Listening to Malik's musings about feeling trapped within village walls and the demons of the past, Hiroshi nodded in understanding. "I can relate to being constrained by rules and regulations. I appreciate missions like this: a chance to step outside the norm and make a tangible difference. As for our demons, we all carry our burdens in one way or another. It's how we choose to bear them that defines us."

Hiroshi couldn't help but smile at Malik's humor regarding pollen. "Ah, the perks of being a man of the wilderness. I can see how pollen might be the least of your worries."

With the shrine restored and their journey continuing, Malik's question about his clan or bloodline caught Hiroshi's attention. It was a joint inquiry among shinobi, and Hiroshi had his own story.

"My lineage is not tied to any particular clan, as I come from humble origins," Hiroshi began, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "However, I possess a unique bloodline within my family, the Natural Berserker. It allows me to tap into a wellspring of natural energy and undergo a Senjutsu transformation. It's a power quite different from the conventional techniques you might have encountered. My abilities result from hard work, training, and perhaps a touch of natural talent."

As the duo discussed their pasts and abilities, something in the air had shifted. He suddenly picked up on a sight that sent a shiver down his spine. Amidst the trees, a figure dressed in pure white moved with an ethereal grace, its form seemingly translucent, like a ghost wandering the woods. Hiroshi's eyes widened, and he nudged Malik discreetly, directing his gaze toward the mysterious apparition. The forest held secrets, and at that moment, it seemed they were about to encounter one of its enigmatic mysteries.

Hiroshi couldn't resist a sly grin as he whispered to Malik, "Well, our festival guarding duties just got a bit more... spirited."

[WC: 482]